Just trying to analyze how I've done in FA/Trades so far this season...one of the teams is the original - the other is what I have now. My other leagues I've been pretty light on trades (1 league I traded Lyon, Bonderman, Moyer and Wells for RJ, 1 league traded Turnbow for Berkman and the last one have made no trades at all).

Obviously, there's been a 'few' trades in this one...the funniest one was where I moved Sheets, Isringhausen and Valentin to get Kent, Rollins and Maddux. It's funny because the poor guy on the receiving end of that deal now has 3 guys on the DL out of the 3! The next trade moved LuGon and Sexson for CPatt. I was having to sit Morneau on the bench behind Lee and Sexson and definitely viewed CPatt as an upgrade to LuGon...probably overpayed on that one but I think CPatt's going to have a huge year - especially with so many people in that lineup hitting.

The last trade was the big one...I gave up Schmidt, Lee, Kent, B. Giles, Barrett and Burgos to get Clemens, Ichiro, Castillo, Varitek and Kolb. I don't see Lee or Kent keeping this up all year while Ichiro and Varitek are very consistant. Kolb is obviously >>> Burgos (at least given what teams they play for). Lastly, I think the Astros offense is going to get a big spark from Berkman and the wins will start rolling in for Clemens. Schmidt on the other hand looks really bad and his velocity is way offl

Thanks for all your advice. That first team looks great but the second team's offense (aside from Lee) doesnt look so hot. I really like the first team, pitching and defense. Turnbow was a great pickup at closer.

Yeah, the offense stunk for the first few days until I picked up Kent and Rollins. Maddux has been SOLID for me (I picked him up right after his first two starts). That trade was the huge one for me...Isringhausen and Sheets have done nothing so far after I traded them and Valentin did nothing at any point

Now the offense has (in a 12 team league) the following points...
R: 9, HR: 11, RBI: 11, SB: 10, AVE: 6

I picked up Ichiro to help shore up the 3 categories I'm weakest in. With Varitek replacing Barrett (my current catcher) and Delluci/Green seeing playing time now that Lee is gone I should have a decent amount of power...I might slip a point or two in the HR/RBI but should dominate the SB's and my average should move up quite a bit (especially with Ichiro).

The pitching has been good for these guys too...
W: 9.5, SV: 10, K: 9, ERA: 8.5, WHIP: 10

Picking up Maddux when I traded away Sheet and picking up Turnbow helped to round out some possible weak spots that were left in that trade. Turnbow makes a great 3rd closer (and an outstanding 4th guy now that I swapped Burgos for Kolb in my last trade). And I won't complain about a 4 man rotation or Clemens, Peavy, Bonderman and Maddux

I just hope that Ichiro produces like the player I paid for now...Giving up Lee in that trade was a lot to give up for him but with how many ab's he gets he can really carry a team in the ave category.